Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)

Subject: Archie Fisher - illness
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 19 Oct 25 - 03:45 PM

Very sad to hear today, from Pete Haywood via Alistair Russell on FB, that Archie is in a Care Home, suffering from Stage-4 terminal lung cancer.

Here is Pete’s message, including a message. From Archie himself…

”Thinking today about Archie Fisher - one of the grandfathers of Scotland's folk revival. This message from Archie was relayed by Ardersier Folk Club.

"Many of you will now know I'm in a care home with stage 4 terminal lung cancer and have sent kind thoughts and words. My sincere love and thanks go to all of you my friends for what you have given to my life."

It comes as no surprise that Archie has kept his illness private, typical of his dignified approach throughout his career. I'm sure that thoughts and prayers will be in many people's minds as we think of his musical companionship over many years. Thanks Archie.”

Sending very best wishes to one of the UK’s finest folk singers, writers, and musicians.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Oct 25 - 08:43 PM

Oh, very sad indeed, Backwoodsman, and that He of the Golden Honeyed Voice should be stricken in that way.

I have loved Archie's singing since a friend brought that first 1968 LP (with the hounds on the cover!) back from the UK for me, to remote West Aussie c.1971, and of course, I bought most everything else thereafter!!
And then delighted in discovering other singing members of the Family - and their friends!!
I'm such a sucker for the Scots accents and the oftimes mellifluous singing tones :)

My late Beloved was also an Archie fan and sang some of his songs - very beautifully - before that damnable Cancer took him down too.
Archie must surely know that he was SUCH an important part of the soundtrack of our lives, for lovers of Scottish folk music and beyond.
Go Well, mate - we're thinking of you and sending much Love, as you continue your Journey .......

Cheers,
Rich-Joy (Down Under)

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 19 Oct 25 - 08:49 PM

Well, damn.

I got to hear him at Old Songs before Covid struck. He was so skilled by then, such a great balladeer. So very glad he was still touring and spreading good music when it would have been more comfy to stay home.

I tried to post some links, but the two I chose were suddenly truncated by some non sequiter stuff. Perhaps some one else could post a perfect link, for those who never got to hear him.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Oct 25 - 10:15 PM

HOW TO CHOOSE??!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqMYlMgq5ZA&list=PLxs4rEs2LPx_7y2S7lG-c5jEUqyFKyMIZ&index=1

"Open the Door, Softly"


But there is a Playlist of 91 tracks here !!! :

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxs4rEs2LPx_7y2S7lG-c5jEUqyFKyMIZ


ENJOY!!!

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 19 Oct 25 - 11:43 PM

That is very sad to hear….my favourite Archie song, apart from Open The Door Softly, was Reynardine. There was just something about that sitar that I loved….

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: pattyClink
Date: 20 Oct 25 - 09:38 AM

Thank you rich-joy. Listening to Broom of the Cowdenknowes, ah.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: cujimmy
Date: 20 Oct 25 - 05:23 PM

He wrote such inspiring songs im sure evryone will agree.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: Felipa
Date: 20 Oct 25 - 08:18 PM

Archie's 86th birthday is this week, 23 Oct. I hope it is as happy as can be in the circumstances, filled with music and love.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 12:36 PM

Sorry to hear this news, which I picked up on Facebook earlier, via the post from Ardersier Folk Club. Saw him at a good few folk club and festival gigs over the years, and there was a lovely afternoon during Glasgow Ballad Workshop with "The Fisher Family" - as many as they could muster, though sadly Ray had already departed this world.
Listened to him many times during the years he presented Radio Scotland's "Travelling Folk".

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Susanne (skw)
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 05:21 PM

Sad news, but best wishes may still be in order, I think. I was lucky enough to hear him live a few times - a consummate artist with one of the most soothing voices I can think of and a rich store of great songs.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Julia L
Date: 21 Oct 25 - 09:38 PM

My 9 year-old grand-daughter always chooses Archie Fisher in the CD player esp The Southwind...

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 23 Oct 25 - 01:09 PM

Happy Birthday, Archie.
I can only echo the sentiment of Felipa's post above.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Guest Joan F
Date: 23 Oct 25 - 04:42 PM

Patty & I saw him at the same set of Old Songs (Fest south of Albany NY) performances.

Was frosted when he told us he leaves the verse out where he kills the Witch of the Westmorelands after she saves him because that's what you do if you're Scottish, so she can't save anyone else.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Guest Joan F
Date: 24 Oct 25 - 02:56 AM

I also saw him when he was touring with Garnet Rogers right after Stan Rogers died.

And at least once after that before Old Songs.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 28 Oct 25 - 07:34 AM

There's only one Archie Fisher song that I sing and I think it's one of his best. Thank you Archie.
I'll be singing it with extra emotion in the coming weeks.

Witch of the Westmerlands\Westmorland
NB these longer lyrics make for a more complete story than the verses used by Stan Rogers.
My take on it has always been that it isn't so much that the witch heals the knight to fight another day but that she sends him honourably and comfortably into his next life.

,,,And she stood in a gown of the velvet blue,
Bound 'round with a silver chain.
She's kissed his pale lips aince and twice
And three time 'round again.

And she's bound his wound with the golden rod;
Full fast in her arms he lay,
And he has risen hale and soond
Wi' the sun high in the day. She said:

Ride with you brindled hounds at heel
And your good grey hawk in hand.
There's nane can harm a knight wha's lain
With the Witch of the West-mer-land.

https://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=7167

Travel well Archie.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: maeve
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 04:16 AM

Archie is gone.

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 05:30 AM

Yes, sadly the news appeared on Facebook yesterday.
Perhaps a kind mudelf will change this to an Obit thread?

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: Johnny J
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 06:46 AM

Sad news and the end of an era. A "folk singer's folk singer".

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST,Ewan McVicar
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 08:01 AM

My oldest friend, the last of the Broomhill Bums. Too much to say here, so thanks Archie for what we shared. Ewan

Subject: RE: Archie Fisher - illness Oct 2025
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 09:21 AM

RIP Archie. Sleep well.

Subject: RE: Obit 2025 Archie Fisher - UK Folksinger
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 12:44 PM

The worst news. Thanks for the fine music Archie - you're already very much missed. RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit 2025 Archie Fisher - UK Folksinger
From: meself
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 02:56 PM

He made a great contribution ....   RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: GerryM
Date: 02 Nov 25 - 08:30 PM

I put a program to air on radio two days ago, in which I paid tribute to several artists who died in 2025; Tracy Schwarz, Peter Yarrow, Bob Franke, John Roberts, Joe Hickerson, and Tom Lehrer. I also mentioned that Archie Fisher was in poor health, and played Men o' Worth.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: Mick Tems
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 06:28 AM

I truly loved Archie's old but brilliant album 'Orfeo'. A while ago, he came to Llantrisant Folk Club and chatted to me; he was in his 80s, but he still had the fabulous magic touch. Rest easy, Archie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 08:09 AM

I've been walking around singing The Final Trawl the last couple of days. RIP, Archie Fisher.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: rich-joy
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 09:03 AM

Vale, Archie.
One of the Very Best.


R-J (Down Under in Oz)

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: TonyK
Date: 03 Nov 25 - 02:35 PM

He was a gift.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 10:49 AM

As the song says, we would all like the chance for 'one more song'. But we know that one day our favourite singers will no longer be with us in person. Losing Archie is a very sad loss but we do have his recordings to remind us and we have his songs to sing. Go in peace Archie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: Sol
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 11:58 AM

Irreplaceable loss.
Airchie was 'The Man'.... and he always will be.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: StephenH
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 02:34 PM

I'm grateful not only for the songs and playing of Archie Fisher but for the music he brought us via Travelling Folk.
Glad I had the pleasure of seeing him perform at least once.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: GUEST,Cujimmy
Date: 04 Nov 25 - 07:24 PM

I met him and spoke to him in Wakefield Yorkshire about 20 years ago, He spoke of his inspiration for writing The Witch of the Westmorland after riding through The Kirkstone pass not far from Penrith. He was inspiring and as a 69 year old it feels like listening to a nursary ryme now listening to this song, God Bless and RIP Archie.

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Nov 25 - 12:51 PM

So many songs that Archie gifted our community.

"The Witch of the Westmorland" is certainly among his most memorable, and by many considered traditional.

Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: GUEST,Gallus Moll
Date: 07 Nov 25 - 04:07 PM

Rest easy, Archie - thank you for all the songs, music and inspiration. Will always miss you...XXX

Subject: RE: Obit: Archie Fisher (1939-2025)
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Nov 25 - 02:21 PM

Derek Schofield's obituary from The Guardian newspaper.